Just got off a cruise ship at Ao Tien? Head straight to Yen Tu without having to look for a taxi. With private transportation service from Ao Tien Port to Yen Tu is designed specifically for cruise passengers who want to visit one of Vietnam’s most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites without having to worry about finding their next mode of transportation. Ao Tien is a quieter port compared to the larger ports in Halong Bay, which makes boarding the ship a more relaxing experience but also means there aren’t always taxis waiting when you disembark with your luggage.
Rather than relying on taxis, book a private transfer through Mui Ne Private Car, and your driver will be waiting for you as you step off the boat, ready to take you on the 101-kilometer journey straight to the foot of the mountain.
| Distance | ~101 km (63 miles) |
| Driving time | ~1 hour 50 minutes in normal traffic |
| Main roads | Van Don causeways & bridges · QL18 through Ha Long & Uong Bi |
| Suggested departure | Timed to your cruise's disembarkation · morning departure gives the most time at Yen Tu before afternoon crowds build |
| Pickup points | Ao Tien Port passenger terminal |
| Drop-off points | Yen Tu cable car base station · Yen Tu pilgrim village & parking area on request |
Ao Tien offers cruise trips to Bai Tu Long Bay and Ha Long Bay without the crowds found at the larger ports near Ha Long City - which is why it’s a pleasant place to board a boat but a bit inconvenient upon arrival. Taxis don’t wait here as they do at larger ports, so if you disembark with luggage and haven’t arranged transportation, you may have to wait - even though you’d prefer to head straight to the mountains.
Booking a private driver in advance eliminates that uncertainty. Your car is confirmed and waiting for you, with the pickup time calculated based on your cruise ship’s actual disembarkation time - not on an estimate of when the gangway will be lowered.
This also ensures a smooth day of sightseeing in the mountains. A private shuttle service with a driver waiting at the base of the mountain while you visit the temples is a much simpler option than having to arrange your next mode of transportation from a pilgrimage site you’ve never visited before.
Good to know: Share your cruise company and expected disembarkation time when you book, and we will track it the same way we track a delayed flight for an airport pickup, adjusting your driver's arrival accordingly.
Under two hours on the coast road is comfortable in any of these. Choose by group size and how much luggage you are carrying off the cruise.
Kilometre marks are approximate. Your driver will choose the fastest connection on the day.
The driver will pick you up at the port as soon as you disembark, with the air conditioning already on and the car ready to go. After helping you load your luggage into the car, the driver will confirm your destination before departing, so there’s no need to rush immediately after getting off the boat.
Leaving the port, the route will pass through a series of dikes and bridges connecting the islands of Van Don to the mainland, and for the first few minutes, you’ll still be able to enjoy views of the bay from the back of the car.
Traffic here is usually light, consisting mainly of local vehicles, with the occasional tour bus also traveling along this route between the port and the mainland road network.
When entering the mainland, the route connects to National Highway 18, passing through Cam Pha - an active seaport and former mining town with a distinct industrial character.
It continues into Ha Long City, where travelers can catch glimpses of the bay’s limestone islands peeking out between buildings as the road runs along the edge of the tourist area rather than through the city center.
Through traffic increases noticeably as the road passes through Ha Long City proper before easing up again as the route continues westward, with the bay gradually giving way to the inland hills of Quang Ninh Province.
Beyond Ha Long to the west, National Highway 18 gradually settles into a more steady rhythm, with open rural landscapes and small industrial zones replacing the coastal scenery of the previous stretch.
Uong Bi emerges as a modest city built on coal mining and power generation - more of a convenient stopover than a true destination.
Road signs pointing to Yen Tu begin to appear along the town, and on clear days, Yen Tu Mountain is clearly visible on the horizon as the road branches off from the main highway.
From there, the road gradually climbs up through low, tree-shaded mountain slopes, with pilgrimage villages and parking lots springing up around the base of the mountain as the cable car station gradually comes into view.
From the 13th century onward, Yen Tu has been the center of Vietnamese Buddhism, when Emperor Tran Nhan Tong retired here to found the Truc Lam Zen school; temples and shrines on the mountain stretch across the upper slopes.
The driver will take you to the cable car station at the base of the mountain and wait for your return. Before you head up the mountain, they’ll ask you to double-check your car one last time to ensure you haven’t left anything behind - phones, chargers, passports, and cruise documents are all prone to getting lost after a few days at sea - and from there, all that’s left is to wish you a safe and enjoyable tour, as the short journey from the port to the temple comes to an end.
Route Map: Ao Tien Port to Yen Tu via Ha Long & Uong Bi (QL18)
This is a direct transfer to a single destination, so the notable stops here are really the stages of the mountain itself rather than detours along the road.
The route passes along the edge of Ha Long City rather than through its centre, but a brief detour into the bayfront area is possible if you have time to spare before continuing to Yen Tu.
The cable car covers much of the mountain's elevation in stages, with Giai Oan Pagoda and several other temples reachable from the lower and middle stations without a long walk. A sensible first stop for most visitors before deciding how much further to go.
A bronze pagoda at the very top of the mountain, reached by cable car most of the way and then a final uphill walk over stone steps. It is the goal for most serious pilgrims, and on a clear day the views over the surrounding hills are the reward for the climb.
About stops & pricing: Fares on this page cover the direct Ao Tien Port to Yen Tu run. Cable car tickets and time on the mountain are separate from the transfer itself. Message us before booking and we will give you one clear total for exactly the journey you want.
Mui Ne Private Car arranges chauffeur-driven transfers across Vietnam, including shorter port-to-landmark hops like this one for travellers stepping off a cruise and heading straight to somewhere significant.
Our team tracks your cruise’s estimated disembarkation time just as we would a flight, so your driver is there the moment you actually step off the ship - not at the time the fixed schedule assumes you’ll disembark.
Every vehicle is air-conditioned, well-maintained, and sized to accommodate your actual cruise luggage - not just a few carry-on bags. Bottled water is provided for each passenger.
The fare includes fuel costs and tolls for the entire route, and the driver will wait at the pickup point while you explore the mountains. Any additional stops will be priced and agreed upon before departure, so there’s no need to renegotiate along the way.
Child seats and booster seats are provided free of charge upon request; just let us know your child's age when booking. For larger groups coming off the same cruise, our 16-seat van keeps everyone together.
Cruise delayed? Last-minute changes to your plans? Message us via WhatsApp or Zalo at any time, and we’ll adjust your pickup time accordingly.
Our drivers and support staff – ready for every journey, short or long
| Vehicle | Capacity | Luggage | Price / Car |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Sedan (4 seats) |
1–3 pax | 2 bags + 2 handbags | $62 USD |
|
Medium SUV (7 seats) |
1–4 pax | 3 bags + 2 handbags | $66 USD |
|
Large SUV (7 seats) |
1–5 pax | 4 bags + 2 handbags | $72 USD |
|
Van 16 seats |
1–12 pax | 8 bags + 6 handbags | $87 USD |
Rates can rise around the Yen Tu Spring Festival and Vietnamese public holidays. Send your travel date by WhatsApp or Zalo and we will confirm the exact fare.
Q1: How long does a private car take from Ao Tien Port to Yen Tu?
A: About 1 hour 50 minutes for the 101 km, heading west along the coast through Ha Long and Uong Bi before the final approach to Yen Tu.
Q2: Is there a taxi rank at Ao Tien Port?
A: Ao Tien is a quieter terminal than the bigger Halong Bay ports, so taxi availability right at disembarkation is not reliable. A pre-booked private car avoids the search, with your driver waiting as you come off the boat.
Q3: Do we need to hike to reach Yen Tu's pagodas?
A: The cable car covers most of the elevation, but reaching the bronze Dong Pagoda at the summit still means a final stretch on foot over uneven stone steps. Comfortable walking shoes make a real difference.
Q4: Is Yen Tu busy during festival season?
A: Yes. The Yen Tu Spring Festival runs roughly from the Lunar New Year through the third lunar month, and cable car queues and parking both take noticeably longer during this period.
Q5: Does the driver wait while we visit the mountain?
A: Yes. Your driver waits at the base while you take the cable car and walk up to the pagodas, however long that takes, and is there for your return.
Q6: How much does the transfer cost?
A: Per vehicle, one way: $62 for a sedan, $66 for a medium SUV, $72 for a large SUV and $87 for a 16-seat van. Fuel and road tolls are included.
Q7: Which vehicle should I choose?
A: A sedan suits one to three passengers with cruise luggage. A medium or large SUV gives a couple or small family a little more room, and the 16-seat van suits a larger group.
Whether you are stepping off a multi-day cruise or simply want a direct ride to the mountain, a private driver from Ao Tien Port to Yen Tu gives you a fixed price, a driver who tracks your actual disembarkation time, and a vehicle that waits while you visit the pagodas. Send us your cruise name, date and expected arrival time, plus the number of passengers and bags. We reply quickly with a confirmed quote.
For last-minute requests, WhatsApp or Zalo is the quickest route. Our team answers around the clock.